Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon chapped by Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration patrols
March 24th, 2008


Phil Gordon

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon bristled Monday at the way Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio sent deputies on saturation patrols in an east Phoenix neighborhood during the Easter weekend.

Arpaio sent sheriff’s deputies to the area of East Thomas Road and North 32nd Street after business owners contacted him to complain about day laborers loitering and committing petty crimes. Sheriff’s deputies patrolled the area, issued traffic citations and arrested illegal immigrants they came across.Gordon said he hopes Arpaio will notify Phoenix Police officials before conducting similar operations in the future.

“The sheriff has concurrent jurisdiction – we certainly acknowledge that – but for whatever reason, the communication in advance and the coordination in advance has not occurred and I’m very concerned about the safety of his officers and our officers,â€